BECKER, Minn. - Benjamin Pearson and the MLC men's golf team are both in contention after day one at the 2026 UMAC Men's Golf Championship.

The teams are competing at Pebble Creek Golf Club, which is a 6,872-yard, Par-72 course.

Pearson led the Knights with a 2-over 74, which also has him tied for second individually. His performance anchored a 28-over team score. MLC is tied with Bethany for fourth place with teams chasing UW-Superior, which shot 16-over.

Men's teams played the back-9 first on day one. Pearson shot a 1-under 35 on that side and led the tournament much of the afternoon.

Fellow captain, senior John Martin, shot a 6-over 78, which included three birdies to bounce back after a double bogey on the first hole. Martin birdied three of the four par 5s. Martin is tied for 10th.

Luke Latzke also battled early adversity, carding triple and quadruple bogeys early before battling back with three birdies on his second nine and shooting under par on the course's front side. Latzke came all the way back into a tie for 20th place.

Adam Loberger, who is in 27th place, was MLC's final counting score as he shot an 84 (+12). The Knights dropped an 18-over from Cooper Jensen, who is in a tie for 33rd overall.

Teams are back out tomorrow for the second round of the three-round championship. MLC will play alongside Bethany.

Round 2 Tee Times:
11:32 a.m. - Cooper Jensen
11:40 a.m. - Adam Loberger
11:48 a.m. - Luke Latzke
11:56 a.m. - John Martin
12:04 p.m. - Ben Pearson